Today marks the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the beginning of U.S. involvement in World War II.

In his address to a joint session of Congress the next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt characterized the “unprovoked and dastardly attack” against the United States as “a date that will live in infamy.”

The surprise enemy attack on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, began that morning when the Japanese launched 353 fighters from six aircraft carriers that had transited undetected to an area northwest of the Hawaiian Islands. Enemy fighter pilots were able to sink four U.S. Navy battleships, two of which were later raised and repaired. Four others reported significant damage. A number of other ships were either sunk or badly damaged, as well as nearly 200 aircraft.

Enemy bombs and strafing runs killed more than 2,400 Americans and left another 1,282 wounded. In addition, the attack damaged buildings and equipment on the ground.

The attackers suffered only light damage — losing less than 70 men.

The Japanese assault was designed to prevent the U.S. from interfering with that country’s plans for imperialistic expansion. Launched during a period when the U.S. leaned towards isolationism, the attack on Pearl Harbor galvanized this country and led directly to its entry into the global war already underway. Any opposition or hesitation by Americans about going to war sank along with much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was an important rallying moment in American history when every American, no matter what background, personal convictions, region of the country or politics stood together as one nation. The years that followed were so very difficult in many ways — young men and women died and those who could not serve went to work supporting the war effort. The attack on Pearl Harbor revealed a resolute and courageous national character that would, according to Roosevelt, “gain the inevitable triumph.”

In our area we can still see that character reflected in the young men and women currently in service to our nation as well as in our neighbors, so many of whom have had a hand in writing the history of this nation.

People around here believe strongly in being their brothers’ keepers — still giving of themselves in a variety of ways as members of communities that support those who put everything on the line for this country.